Safety in Numbers

With the sun shining brightly on Millgate Lane, the scene was set for a great day to both watch and play rugby. And indeed this was evident with enough Bedians turning up to play for us to have fielded 2 teams, as well as a large contingent of spectators ready to roar us on as the club played host to Trafford Metrovick 3s.

As often seems to be the case, it was the opposition team who started the game with more intent. After a brief early territorial exchange, Trafford found themselves in our 22 and crossing the line to take a 7-0 lead. Not long after the restart some good defensive work from James Tupp forced his opposing number to spill the ball, and Paul Makinen raced onto a quick thinking kick from Tupp to score under the posts. Although Bedes had started to up their game by this point, the visitors continued to look threatening, taking advantage of a few missed tackles to race take the score to 19-7.

Undeterred by the scoreline, and with some encouraging words by stand-in captain Ben Dawson, Bedes kept the faith in themselves and took the game straight back to Trafford. Having almost scored after a decent spell of pressure, the forwards were beginning to impose themselves and a great run by Richard Thompson dragged in three defenders to allow Ryan Keyes to sail over the line to see Bedians trailing 19-14 at half time.
Half time saw Bedes ring the changes, and with an almost entirely new team out for the second half there was a worry that the disruption may put the team on the back foot. This turned out not to be the case, though it would be a while before either team added points to the board. Regardless of the lack of points being added, the action kept most of the spectators on the edge of their toes. Set pieces were working well for the Bedian forwards, guided by the safe hands of birthday boy Phil Parker, winning almost everything thrown in from touch, who was cruelly denied a birthday try by the referee when he was unfairly adjudged to have been held up after a strong drive over the line.

However, Bedians carried on getting stronger through the second half, and the pressure was piling on the visitors. Jack Johnson, Rich Thompson and some Malaysian lad all scored tries, aided by some great kicking by Michael Rothwell, to put Oldbedians into a 33-19 lead. Trafford did manage to score a try at the end of the game to make it a 33-26 final score, but the day belonged to the Bedes. A great performance by everyone who donned a blue shirt, with honourable mentions going to men of the match James Tupp and Anthony Dell, and Aaron ‘Tin Ribs’ Thomas for his humungous hit on the opposition 9 which brought on a try and put the fear of God into the 9 for the rest of the match.